How to Cite a News Website in APA
In the realm of academic writing, citing sources is an essential part of maintaining integrity and giving credit to the original authors. One common source that often poses challenges in citation is a news website. The American Psychological Association (APA) has specific guidelines for citing online news sources. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite a news website in APA format.
General Format for Citing a News Website in APA
The general format for citing a news website in APA style includes the following elements:
1. Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Article title. Website name. URL
For example:
Smith, J. (2021, January 5). The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities. The Environmental Times. the-impact-of-climate-change-on-coastal-cities
Step-by-Step Guide for Citing a News Website in APA
1. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their first initial. If the author’s name is not available, begin with the organization or publication name.
2. Include the year of publication, followed by the month and day in parentheses. If the exact date is not available, use the year only.
3. Write the article title in sentence case, with only the first word and any proper nouns capitalized.
4. Mention the name of the website where the article was published.
5. Finally, provide the URL of the article. Ensure that the URL is complete and includes the full address.
Example: Citing a News Website with an Author
Suppose you want to cite an article from The New York Times. The author is Emily R. Cochrane, and the article was published on January 2, 2020. The title is “The Climate Crisis Is Here. It’s Not Too Late to Stop It.” The URL is https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/climate/climate-crisis.html. The APA citation would be:
Cochrane, E. R. (2020, January 2). The climate crisis is here. It’s not too late to stop it. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/climate/climate-crisis.html
Example: Citing a News Website without an Author
If the article does not have an author, start with the publication name. For instance, the article “Global Warming: The New Normal” from CNN was published on December 15, 2019. The URL is https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/15/us/global-warming-normal-trnd/index.html. The APA citation would be:
CNN. (2019, December 15). Global warming: The new normal. https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/15/us/global-warming-normal-trnd/index.html
Conclusion
Citing a news website in APA format may seem daunting at first, but following the general structure and guidelines provided in this article can help ensure accurate and proper citation. Always double-check the specific requirements of your academic institution or publisher to ensure compliance with their citation style guidelines.
